Goa Tourism News

How Does Goa Compare to Other Casino Destinations Around the World?

In the past two decades, as the world has become ever more globalised and the international middle class has gotten richer, casino tourism has become increasingly popular. Casino tourism is a form of high-end tourism whereby people travel far and wide to visit casinos all over the world.

Life in a Foreign University: Fighting patriarchy to pursuing event planning course in Canada, this Haryana girl is living her dream

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)— Harshita RanaMy dream to study abroad started coming true when my family shifted to Gurugram from Sonipat — a small city in Haryana. While the whole culture in Sonipat was not supportive of girls planning to pursue higher studies in a foreign country, however, I never gave up on my dream.As I studied at a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Gurugram, discussing future plans with my peers and seniors helped me open up to several new prospects. Conversations on higher education, universities, etc were so normal that I started actively researching foreign colleges. Since I was completing my class 12, I decided that Canada was the country where I wanted to spend the rest of my life.Initially, I wanted to pick the United States of America for higher studies but I was afraid of the recent increase in crime rate. I chose Canada because it is a student and immigrant-friendly country. Also, most of my cousins were already studying or working in Canada, so I would always have a safety net.Studying Event Management at George Brown CollegeI am studying Event Planning and the course focuses on design, coordination, marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, risk management and event evaluation. In the first semester, they are teaching us all the skills we are going to need to work in the field.Our assignments are all practical, such as, if we decide to work in a catering centre, they have taught us how to design a menu, how to create banquet event orders and so on. We are also given classes about working in the hospitality and tourism industry, how to set up tables in high-end restaurants, how we properly serve wine and including the theory of what are the expectations right now in the industry.Fighting societal pressureI shifted to Gurugram when I was 14-year-old. I never really had to convince my parents of my study abroad plan. However, my parents and I had to fight societal pressure. Be it relatives or the people in my neighbourhood (in Sonipat and other places) — everyone discouraged me saying that a girl should not be sent abroad for higher studies for all security reasons.However, my parents decided to go against their advice. That means I have to ensure, now, that I study well and bring laurels to my family name. Not just heading abroad to study, my family and I also fought against the usual stereotype that those who work in retail shops or outlets in India are not bright students. To prove them wrong and earn my savings for Canada, I started working at a Starbucks store in Gurugram.Earn your livingAfter my class 12 results — where I scored 75 per cent — I started applying for Canadian colleges. To make sure that I utilise this time in the right manner, I started working at Starbucks. This helped me gain some work experience, as it is needed for foreign university applications.Working at Starbucks also made me realise that I like hospitality and management. When I dug deeper, I realised that event management is something that interests me. However, I was more interested in the events sector rather than opening up my own restaurant. I love meeting new people and working on creating an event that satisfies the client, going above and beyond expectations and creating lifelong memories for people. Hospitality and tourism is such a broad category in which event planning is a sector which focuses on different types of events such as weddings, birthdays, festivals, conferences and so on.I scored 76 per cent in class 12 exams, which put me in a good spot for international university admissions. After passing my class 12 in July 2021, I started applying to Canadian colleges for their May 2022 intake. While I researched a lot on my own, I also took help from IDP consultants. Then I utilised my time (which I would not call a gap, it was just the timeline of the study abroad process) to prepare for IELTS exam, which took approximately two months.After I finalised my college, I applied for my course by filling out online forms, sending required documents (such as transcripts, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation) and submitting my IELTS proof. After a wait of three months, I finally got my acceptance letter from the college, and after that, the process of getting the Canadian student visa took three months.Work experience helpsThis barista job in India played a major role in helping me earn money in Canada. I was one of the few candidates who was hired by Starbucks in Canada since I already had a good track record of working in their branch in India. This job helped me settle in properly in this new country while making sure I earn enough to support my daily needs.Now, since I have shifted cities, I have left the barista job and I am currently working as a cashier at a local furniture store, and I will also soon be starting as a crew member at McDonald’s. I will have two part-time jobs now that pay me the minimum wage, i.e. $16 an hour. At present, I am working 35 hours per week at the furniture store, and my shifts at McDonald’s will be decided soon. Earlier, we were allowed to work 20 hours per week, but that limit rule has been rolled back recently, so we can work full time.I also made sure that I stayed with my acquaintances in the country in the first few months, which helped me get an idea of the cheapest and safest places to buy groceries, daily essentials, best part-time job etc. Then, after finding my ground in the country, I shifted to Toronto to ensure I am closer to my college and can save on travelling expenses. Now, even though my rent is higher, I live closer to my college, which helps me save travelling time and money. I depend on local transport services now to travel to my college and jobs.Balancing work with studiesEven though I work more than 35 hours per week, I still manage to complete my chores and college work. It was a bit difficult in the beginning — balancing between my college assignments, and lessons from college, while making sure that I do not miss out on my part-time job too, in addition to cooking for myself.However, now this has become more of a habit. I know that as soon as I wake up, I have to make my bed, then clean the floors, cook for the day and then head to the college. After the lectures are over, I work on my assignments for a bit and then head to my job for the day or return home and prepare for the next day. This has become a habit now.Also, I have divided my week into two parts: four days a week I solely concentrate on my college and the work related to that, and on the other three days I work on my part-time jobs and ensure that I earn enough to survive the next week while making some savings. I would say this is the initial struggle that every student who leaves their home country and family to be independent and successful has to face and eventually their hard work pays off.

Tribal bodies step up demand to ‘free’ Parasnath hills from JainsPremium Story

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

A day after the Union Environment Ministry stayed a provision of Parasnath Eco-Sensitive Zone banning all forms of tourism, various leaders of the tribal community, including an MLA of the ruling coalition’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Friday protested the move, saying it has “hurt” their religious sentiments.Lobin Hembrom, JMM MLA from Borio of Sahibganj, said the Parasnath Hill is revered as “Marang Buru” (supreme deity or literally the great mountain), specially for the people of Santhal community and they have a “right to practise” their religious rituals.On Thursday, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren had written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, seeking to cancel the notification that had declared Jain community’s religious place “Sammed” as eco-sensitive zone. Soren had said that his government aims to develop it as an “area of religious pilgrimage”.However, tribal leaders said the decision has taken a “toll on their religious freedom” as there will be no meat or liquor consumption within ‘10 km radius’ of the Hill, which is against their tradition of performing animal sacrifice as a religious ritual.In a press conference on Friday, Hembrom said: “Wherever Santhal community settles down, we establish one ‘Manjhthan’ in a village and one ‘Jaherthan’ as a religious place, but there is one ‘Jug Jaherthan’ in the country established on the top of our Marang Buru i.e Parasnath Hill. President Droupadi Murmu had visited this place. But now beauty, purity and the forest reserves of the place are getting depleted.” He said now that one particular community has asserted the right for their religious freedom, the adivasi community, too, asserts its right as the entire land belongs to the community.All India Santhal Council president Naresh Murmu said the Jain community sent various letters to the PMO last year, complaining about the disturbances in the area created by the adivasis. “…Now we know through the notification that there will be no consumption of meat and liquor in the temple vicinity. This is in direct contradiction of our beliefs. We sacrifice animals as our offerings… People of Jain community go around the hills offering prayers, many without much clothes, but it has never offended our community. So, now we too seek proper integration.”Sikander Hemdrem of ‘Marang Buru Sanwanta Susar Baisi’ said as per the Hazaribagh Gazetter of 1957, the entire adivasi community has ownership of the land around Parasnath Hill. “…We have proof as many people from the tribal community have land records… It is clear that the adivasis and moolvasis are treated as slaves and the Jains as feudal lords. What kind of demand is this…,” he said.Giridih DC Naman Priyesh Lakra said: “We have called leaders from both the communities on January 8. The two MLAs will also be present there.”

Corrupt civic bodies looting garbage disposal funds: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday hit out at representatives of panchayats and municipalities for their alleged involvement in corruption over garbage management in the state. “Some people don’t know how they can get money for waste management but they know how to siphon off money allotted for garbage management. I have seen how corruption is done over garbage. Around Rs 60,000 is allotted for garbage management but not even Rs 20,000 is spent for its management. They hire one rickshaw and one labourer and generate a bill of Rs 90,000. At least we have to do sincere work,” Sawant said.Sawant was speaking at the inauguration of the one-day stakeholder engagement workshop on waste management at Panaji. He also said that not a single tourist will visit Goa in the next 10 years if people continue to dump garbage in public places. He urged citizens not to litter.He also said that hotel and industrial waste is being dumped in villages and if this is not treated then in “no time Goa will become a waste dump yard”. “Last 40 years we have a mentality that for a small amount we are ready to have another Sonsoddo in our own villages,” he said. “Industrialisation has contributed to garbage dumps in villages. When a hotel comes up in any village he (the proprietor) gets hold of a public representative to treat the garbage of the hotel and for some amount that person doesn’t treat the garbage which then creates a garbage dump in the village,” Sawant said to point out that some public representatives were making money off the garbage issue.“Goa belongs to us and (if) we continue to dump garbage then in the next 10 years no tourists will come to the state. It is our responsibility and we should not allow garbage dumps in the state,” Sawant said adding, “Goa is the only state to lift garbage from beaches and from roadside.”Sawant said that Goa has Asia’s largest solid waste management plant at Saligao and the state has developed waste management systems for all types of waste including sewerage treatment, bio-medical, chemical, construction, industrial and e-waste. “The bio-medical waste plant is the best in the country with zero investment by the state government and it has five-star facilities,” he said. “I am sure the day-long workshop for the panch, sarpanch and other stakeholders shall enlighten them to make efforts for waste management in the state. It is our responsibility to keep Goa clean and protect its identity for enhancing tourism and ease of living,” he said.The chief minister said that the state government is spending crores of rupees to clear legacy dumps. “We have to work towards not having any more legacy dumps in the state,” he said.

Gujarat, Bengal, Goa set to host G20 tourism meetings

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

The agenda and schedule for the G20 tourism track meetings has been firmed up by the government, The Indian Express has learnt.The first of the four tourism working group meetings is slotted for early next month at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the next meeting will be held between April 3 and 5 in Siliguri/Darjeeling and the fourth ministerial meeting will be held in Goa from June 19-22, sources have confirmed. For the third meeting, which will be held between May 22 and 24, a couple of hilly locations in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have been shortlisted, but the final decision will be taken closer to the date.“The idea is to cover and showcase the geographical expanse of the country – with Gujarat in the west to Siliguri in the north-east, going up till the northernmost regions,” said an official source.The agenda for the G20 tourism track, as per documents seen by The Indian Express, focuses on five priority areas — “green tourism” – for a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector; “digitalisation” – harnessing technology to promote competitiveness, inclusion and sustainability; “skill training” to youth for employment and entrepreneurship; “nurturing tourism-related MSMEs and start-ups” and “destination management” – strategic management of destinations with a holistic approach.Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh said the G20 tourism working group will look at the current status of the tourism sector from the lens of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and leveraging the experience of the G20 member countries, UNWTO (United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation) and other related organisations will propose “a roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving SDGs”.At the conclusion of the ministerial meeting in Goa, an official “Goa Roadmap” will be issued, Singh said, comprising a shared vision for the G20 tourism working group. It will aim to provide “guidance on policies, strategies and practices in the five key areas”. A ministerial communique will also be issued after the Goa meet, Singh said. Presently, all the locations for tourism track meetings are being spruced up, and the officials from the G20 secretariat as well as the Ministry of Tourism have already conducted recces. “The states are taking the lead in giving a new look to the respective cities,” officials said, adding that roads, hotels, meeting venues and excursion spots are being taken care of.For the first meeting at Rann of Kutch from February 7 to 9, as many as 31 official delegates, including the G20 member nations and guest countries, have confirmed their presence, sources said. Delegates also include those representing international organisations such as UNWTO and International Labour Organization.

Delhi Confidential: Workplace TourSign In to read

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

The Supreme Court had two young visitors on Friday as Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud brought over his foster daughters Mahi and Priyanka for a tour of his workplace. The CJI showed them his courtroom, the spot from where the lawyers argue, the corridor, the library, etc. Sources said the CJI had earlier brought one of them to show his official chamber and the other got upset that he didn’t take her along. The CJI brought the kids before the court working started and sent them back after a brief tour as he did not want to prolong it and expose them to the morning cold.MasterstrokeBJP leaders in the national capital cannot stop talking about the political acumen Home Minister Amit Shah showed in his virulent attack on Janata Dal (Secular) and its leader H D Kumaraswamy during his visit to Karnataka last week. His remarks, to which Kumaraswamy reacted sharply, have taken away the comfort of a number of Vokkaliga BJP leaders from the old Mysore region who apparently used to make an understanding with the JD(S) to win their seats, but thus restricted BJP’s growth in the region that sends 89 MLAs to the Assembly. Now, all those leaders will have to work harder to ensure their victory as JD(S) is unlikely to back them anymore. Shah’s attack also has taken away the sting out of the Congress’ criticism that JD(S) is a B-team of the BJP in the state.Celestial ShowThe refurbished India Gate lawns have a unique astro-tourism event going on this weekend. There are talks by astronomers, an exhibition on astronomy, a storytelling session related to celestial objects, and a visual experience to see craters on the Moon with the help of a telescope — courtesy, the Culture Ministry’s National Science Centre. This is in line with the government’s plan for “reorientation” of the erstwhile Rajpath, which was named Kartavya Path last year. Ever since, the 2-km stretch, mostly associated with the formal Republic Day parade, has been thrown open to all kinds of public festivities.

State invites bids on revenue-sharing model for devpt, operation, maintenance of convention centre at Patto

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: The state government has invited financial bids for development, operation and maintenance of the convention centre at Rua de Ourem creek bank at Patto on a revenue-sharing model.Nearly 51% of the convention centre construction work has been completed and is expected to be completed by March 2023. The authority perceives it to be prudent to engage a competent third party for undertaking the operations and maintenance of the project.The centre is being developed at a cost of Rs 89.8 crore, out of which Rs 41.9 crore has been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme – Coastal Circuit II, and the balance amount of Rs 47.9 crore is being funded by the state government.The centre will include an auditorium, exhibition halls, seminar rooms, conference rooms, board rooms, restaurant, business lounge, and kitchen along with basement parking, as well as jetty terminal building, toilets and gazebos that will help boost Goa’s image as a business destination for corporates and conventions.The centre is being designed to offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees and will be suitable for major trade shows, meetings, seminars, etc, to cater to the rising demand of the events industry in the state. Further, it was also decided to set up a sound and light show at the centre which will help the facility be utilised on a mixed-use mode. A senior officer said that the show will be set up in the auditorium which has a seating capacity of 1,320 approximately and given that it is indoor, the show can be run throughout the year without the weather affecting the programmes. The show will be run sequentially in two languages every evening on a daily basis and will showcase the history and culture of the state to promote family tourism throughout the year.“The show will be set up in a way that once the core multimedia infrastructure comprising projectors, audio systems, lighting systems are installed, additional programme content can be created to make more shows that can be run during the day, thus making more efficient use of the existing facilities, subject to obtain approval of the authority,” a senior officer said.

‘Will address all hurdles stopping MSME’s growth’

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: Urging Goa’s industrial units and entrepreneurs to focus on import substitution, chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the state government is ready to remove hurdles that prevent MSMEs from obtaining funding and scheme benefits.Sawant also urged Goan entrepreneurs to identify products that the tourism sector needs and start production.Sawant said that despite the state’s economy being dependent on tourism, “nearly 90% of the products required for the sector are imported”. Noting that most of Goa’s entrepreneurs are in the service sector, the chief minister stressed on the need for Goa’s manufacturing sector to grow, a call that Union minister of micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) Narayan Rane also backed.“Don’t depend only on tourism. Mining ore should not be sold in the international market, it must be used for local industries. Goa needs to promote manufacturing and fisheries,” said Rane.The two were addressing a gathering of representatives from the MSME sector at the MSME Adhiveshan conference, held at Raj Bhavan. The adhiveshan is intended to serve as a platform to network, ideate and share knowledge.Rane said a manufacturing industry is an absolute necessity if a state wants to generate stable income. He urged Goa to formulate concrete plans to promote stronger industrial activity. Noting that around 96% of the industries in Goa fall in the micro category, Rane said that Goa’s industrial units need to grow and move to the small and medium category. Challenging all the micro industries and small industries to grow, the Union minister said after five years, the micro industries need to grow into small category and after 10 years become medium category industries.Sawant reiterated that the centre and the state government are making all efforts to improve ease of doing business in Goa.“I often find that very few industries are applying for schemes. I give you the guarantee that if they apply, 100% of the funds will be given,” said Sawant. “If there are any hurdles with any department, let my office know. It is my responsibility as the chief minister to remove them.”He said that the government has issued directions that departments should purchase their requirements from local entrepreneurs.

Notification of drone policy opens up benefits for industry

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: The state government notified the Goa Drone Policy 2022 paving the way for the manufacturers of drones and drone pilot training schools to apply for incentives under the Goa Startup Policy 2021 and the Goa Information Technology Policy 2018.The directorate for information technology, electronics and communication will implement the policy through the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC).“The plicy has been adopted by the government of Goa. This is issued with the approval of the council of ministers by circulation on December 16,” said director Praveen Volvotkar.The policy aims to encourage drone design, manufacturing, testing and maintenance facilities in Goa.Companies that setup in Goa will be able to apply for incentives under the Centre’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drone and drone components, which provides a 20% incentive to drone manufacturers.“The government shall extend the benefits under the Goa Startup Policy 2021 and Goa IT Policy 2018 to drone and drone component manufacturers and service providers. Further, drones shall be the ‘key focus area for the government’ for the purpose of any additional incentives that could be accrued,” the policy states.As the next step, the SITPC will set up teams to operationalise the drone policy and will coordinate with the director general of civil aviation and the civil aviation department.“State nodal officers for Digital Sky platform will be appointed. They will facilitate the application process for manufacturers, testing and certifying agencies, pilot training establishments, drone registration and pilot certificate issuance,” said a department official.Goa wants to encourage the use of drones for delivery of citizen services as well as for agriculture, forestry, horticulture, healthcare, mining and tourism. Goa wants to use the policy to attract investment and create skilled jobs in the drone ecosystem.The state will create free-fly zones that can be used by drone enthusiasts, businesses, and educational institutions for drone testing, training and adoption.

Goa tourism minister Penha De França village in Panaji jurisdiction

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

PANAJI: A delegation of villagers from Porvorim led by tourism minister Rohan Khaunte met urban development and Town and Country Planning minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday to object against moves to include Penha De França village within the jurisdiction of Panaji.Khaunte, who was accompanied by the sarpanch and panch members of Penha de França panchayat, said that a notification has been issued to include Penha de França in the Panaji outline development Plan. Khaunte also accused Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), which is implementing the Smart City Mission in Panaji, of conducting surveys in Penha de França without consulting the panchayat.“The TCP department came out with a notification including parts of Penha de França in the Panaji ODP. We have no objection of the High Court, the Secretariat and Assembly area being part of the NGPDA. But the other areas of Porvorim don’t want to be part of the NGPDA,” said Khaunte.Rane assured the panch members that the Penha de França will remain under the village panchayat’s jurisdiction and that in a few days a clarification will be issued.Rane said that all other areas of Penha De França except the High Court building, Secretariat building and Assembly Complex would not be a part of North Goa Planning and Development Authority.Rane said that the notification in this regard would be issued in the next two to three days, which will omit all the other areas.A livid Khaunte also lashed out at IPSCDL, accusing the special purpose vehicle of lack of coordination and incompetency.“My experience with the Smart City Mission, where they put up signals in Porvorim, has been a disaster. There is no coordination. They do not know what they are doing and what they intend to do,” said Khaunte.The minister said that IPSCDL has started GIS mapping in Penha de França , Succor and Salvador do Mundo, villages that are well beyond the state capital. “They should have first come to the panchayat and the MLA first. We asked them why they were doing it and they say they don't know. If they are doing something within their jurisdiction, that is fine but moving into the neighbouring areas and without first discussing with the Panchayat is not right,” said Khaunte.“I think the Smart City Mission needs better competency... I had to have three to four meetings and major coordination gaps were seen,” said Khaunte.

Why the Centre must categorise the hospitality industry as ‘infrastructure’

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

As the world moves on, the service sector — travel and tourism business included — is emerging as a major growth engine for the Indian economy. People are once again flying in great numbers, airports are crowded, hotels are well booked, and travellers want to explore, connect and feel alive through the exhilarating emotion of travel. Despite several difficulties and challenging infrastructure and connectivity, the industry has fared extremely well.As India takes on the G20 presidency and starts preparing for the summit in 2023, positioning the country as a safe, tourist-friendly destination hinges on how the government can work together with the industry and provide world-class experiences to visiting dignitaries. Around 300 plus meetings are expected to take place during the summit, most of which will be hosted within the corridors of the finest hotels across the country. Hospitality companies are leaving no stone unturned to showcase India’s cultural essence, and the inherent warmth of Atithi Devo Bhava in our service philosophy. Using the summit to highlight the country’s unique and differentiated travel offerings, India can claim its position on the world tourism stage.Tourism is seen as a major driving force for any economy. It has a multiplier effect on associated industries like hospitality. The spillover of earnings from tourism into other industries not only improves economic conditions but also enhances the standards of living of the local population. This is most apparent at the popular beach destination of Goa. Contributing over 16 per cent to the GDP and 35 per cent to direct employment within the state as per the IBEF Report 2022, the domino effect of the sector on indirect job creation is unrivalled. Moreover, what is often unseen are the tertiary tangible and intangible impacts on livelihoods — for instance, the maintenance of Fort Aguada and beaches in the vicinity and the preservation of cultural heritage and the local way of life at the many homestays across Goa. Today, led by tourism, Goa leads the nation in per capita NSDP (Net State Domestic Product) as per the RBI.As per trends, every hotel room generates five to seven jobs, both directly and indirectly, further leading to a significant impact on other high-employability sectors such as real estate and infrastructure. In fact, according to the latest World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, the sector is expected to create nearly 126 million new jobs globally within the next decade with at least 20 per cent of these from the Indian subcontinent. However, government support will be instrumental in achieving this. With Indian companies reporting positive earnings this fiscal, the sector is poised to potentially grow three times compared to the pre-pandemic levels to touch $250 billion by 2030 and further accelerate to reach $1 trillion by 2047.The travel and tourism industry is constantly evolving, catering to rapidly changing consumer demands by creating several product options, elevating customer experiences, and continuing to deliver innovative digital solutions. If this were to be supported with improved infrastructural reforms, it could make travellers’ journeys even more memorable and seamless. A capital-intensive industry, the hospitality sector needs to continually plough back to keep the ball rolling.A good start will be the Centre according “infrastructure” status to the sector, which will boost the industry, incorporating required incentives including regulatory ease, cheaper loans, tax concessions and contributing to a cycle of attracting more investments. In addition, industry status at the state and Union territories-level and augmenting the infrastructure growth will also have a much-needed positive impact. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have taken the lead, and more should follow suit. India’s growth story remains immensely encouraging. On the back of strong consumer demand, travel and tourism offers promising growth and are at an important inflection point.Hospitality companies have consistently added supply across all segments — budget, business and luxury hotels, homestays, villas and so forth — by developing new circuits and offerings that tap into the diverse and myriad potential of Incredible India.Through collective action between industry stakeholders and government, we can undoubtedly shape an even more thriving future for the industry — one that can have a positive impact on the economy and society at large.The writer is president, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and chairman, CII National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality. Views are personal

Centre stays tourism activities at ‘Sammed Shikharji’, asks Jharkhand to protect sanctity of holy Jain site 

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

The Centre on Thursday stayed all tourism activities at the Parasnath Hill where the Jain religious site ‘Sammed Shikharji’ is located and directed the Jharkhand government to immediately take all steps necessary to protect its sanctity.The Union Environment Ministry sent an office memorandum to the state in this regard following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said.The development comes after Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met representatives of the Jain community over the issue earlier in the day and assured them that the government is “committed to maintain the sanctity of ‘Sammed Shikharji Parvat Kshetra’ which is a holy place not only for the Jain community but for the entire country”.Sammed Shikharji, located on the Parasnath Hill in Giridih district of Jharkhand, is the biggest pilgrimage centre of the Jain community.Members of the community had been protesting against the state government’s move to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hill.In August 2019, the environment ministry had notified an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary and approved eco-tourism activities in pursuance of the proposal submitted by the state government.The ministry, in a statement, said it has received several representations from different organizations representing the Jain community about the issues related to “certain activities taking place at Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary which have adversely affected the sentiments of followers of Jain Dharma”.“The grievances mention the faulty implementation of provisions of the ESZ notification by the Jharkhand government. It has been mentioned that such negligence by state authorities has hurt their sentiments,” the ministry said.ESZs act as “shock absorbers” to protected areas by prohibiting, regulating and promoting activities around them.“The ESZ notification is not intended to promote uncontrolled tourism, and definitely not to promote all kinds of development activities within a sanctuary boundary. Declaration of ESZ is in fact to restrict or regulate activities surrounding the sanctuary and, therefore, outside its boundary,” the ministry clarified.In the memorandum issued to the additional chief secretary of the Jharkhand government’s forest department, the ministry said the “implementation of provisions of clause 3 of the said eco-sensitive zone notification is stayed forthwith, including amongst others all tourism and eco-tourism activities”.The state government is directed to immediately take all steps necessary to ensure the same, it said.Meanwhile, representatives of different Jain groups held a press conference to thank Prime Minister Modi for the decision which, they said, will ensure that the sanctity of their most sacred pilgrimage site is maintained.“Our concerns have been addressed and the issue has been resolved to our satisfaction,” they said in a statement.The environment ministry said the Central government recognizes the sanctity of Sammed Shikharji Parvat Kshetra and “significance for the Jain community as well as the nation at large; and reiterates its commitment towards maintaining the same”.“In this regard, the state government is directed to immediately take all steps necessary to strictly enforce the provisions of clause 7.6.1 of the Management Plan of the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary which protects the whole Parasnath Hill; categorically prohibiting amongst others, activities such as the selling of liquor, drugs, and other intoxicants,” the memo read.The state government should also strictly enforce the ban on the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food items on Parasnath Hill, it said.The implementation of the management plan will also prevent people from playing loud music or using loudspeakers; defiling sites of religious and cultural significance such as sacred monuments, lakes, rocks, caves, and shrines; damaging flora or fauna; causing environmental pollution; committing injurious acts to forests, water bodies, plants, animals, or disturbing the natural tranquillity of such sites; coming with pet animals; and unauthorised camping and trekking on the Parasnath Hill.For effective monitoring of the provisions of the ESZ notification, the Centre has also constituted a monitoring committee which will have two members from the Jain community and one from the local tribal community as permanent invitees.

First Flight Lands At Manohar International Airport In Goa

Ndtv | 2 months ago | |

Ndtv

2 months ago | |

PM Modi had inaugurated the first phase of the new airport on December 11, 2022.Panaji: The first passenger flight arrived at the Manohar International Airport in Goa from Hyderabad on Thursday, marking the commencement of operations at the new facility in the coastal state.The IndiGo flight from Hyderabad landed at 9 am at the new airport located at Mopa in North Goa district, airport officials said.Union Minister Shripad Naik and Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte were present to welcome the passengers at the terminal building of the airport.Mr Naik and Mr Khaunte also presented symbolic dummy boarding passes to passengers scheduled to travel to Hyderabad in another IndiGo flight, the first one to take off from the new airport in Goa on Thursday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the first phase of the new airport on December 11, 2022.The airport has been named after late Manohar Parrikar, the former defence minister who had also served as the chief minister of Goa.With Mopa, Goa has got another international airport which is located 50 km apart from the south Goa-based Dabolim facility, operated as a civil enclave in the Indian Navy's air station INS Hansa.The first phase of the Rs 2,870 crore Mopa airport project will cater to around 44 lakh passengers per annum, which can be expanded to a saturation capacity of 33 MPPA, an official earlier said.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe airport has been built on the theme of sustainable infrastructure and has a solar power plant, green buildings, LED lights on the runway, rainwater harvesting, state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant with recycling facilities, among other such facilities.It has adopted some of the best-in-class technologies like 3-D Monolithic Precast buildings, StabilRoad, Robomatic Hollow precast walls, and 5G compatible IT infrastructure. PTI RPS GK GKFeatured Video Of The DayWill Rahul Gandhi's Yatra Help Congress In UP? What Voters Say

West sanctions, visa issues drive Russians to skip Goa for Thailand

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: The flow of charters to Goa from Russia may have increased after the initial uncertainty, but the sunshine state is still not the preferred holiday destination among Russian tourists, who have been flocking to Thailand instead and even Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Turkey, all of which offer hassle-free entry. Up until the Covid-19 pandemic, Goa received the highest number of tourists — both charters and foreign independent travellers — from Russia. But now, apart from delays in processing e-visas, the recent non-acceptance of Indian tour operators’ cards towards payments of tourist visa fees on behalf of their Russian clientele appears to have further discouraged Russian tourists.Vice-president of Concord Exotic Voyages Sheikh Ismail said it is only natural for tour operators to turn to other holiday destinations when there are problems with visa-processing in India.“Thailand, for instance, offers visas on arrival, making it much easier for travellers, particularly those who plan their holidays at the last minute,” he said.Russians cannot pay e-visa fees in USD, he explained, due to Western sanctions following the war with Ukraine that have resulted in the suspension of their international cards. “Indian tour operators then paid for their clients, but over the past two days, payments by Indian tour operators have also not been accepted on the e-visa site. Over 300 visa applications are pending approval,” said Ismail.With the latest hurdle, they are unaware of what’s to be done even as the Union ministry of external affairs and other authorities have been apprised of the problem.“State Bank of India has stopped accepting cards issued in India. Also, the Axis Bank server has been down since December 30, 2022 and is not accepting fee payments,” the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) stated in a letter to the MEA. It further said that if the problem is not resolved immediately, tour operators stand to lose business and the country, foreign exchange earnings. It has sought a rapid alternative arrangement allowing Russian tourists to pay e-visa fees in roubles instead of USD.“India offers e-visa to Russians, but it takes three to four days to get it done. Thailand, on the other hand, offers visas on arrival,” said Anupam Kumar, director at Caper Travel India Pvt Ltd. Also, with the current Goan tourist season having passed its peak, stakeholders do not anticipate a rise in charters from Russia. From the start of the tourism spell, Goa has received one charter a day from Russia with the country’s largest airline, Aeroflot, operating three scheduled flights a week. Ernest Dias, chief operating officer (COO) at SITA, a company that handles significant Russian arrivals, said he does not see any uptick during the remainder of the season in light of the existing problems, while president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, Nilesh Shah, said the Indian government must deploy more manpower to clear the e-visa applications expeditiously.

Flights to Mopa likely to cost 25-75% more than to Dabolim

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: Contrary to expectations of cheaper flights, flying to Manohar International Airport, appears to be more expensive than landing at Goa International Airport, Dabolim. Ahead of the long Republic Day weekend, flights to the Mopa airport (GOX) are 25-75% costlier than to Dabolim (GOI).The Mopa airport, which was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on December 11, is set to commence operations from Thursday. From day-1, airfares from Delhi are marginally higher, with flights to Mopa starting at Rs 5,429, as against Rs 5,138 to Dabolim.On January 25, the cheapest flight from Delhi to Mopa is at Rs 8,350, while flights to Dabolim cost around Rs 6,655 per person. For the R-Day weekend, round trip flights from Delhi to Dabolim and back will cost Rs 15,909 per person. A similar trip for the same weekend but from the the Mopa airport will cost a minimum of Rs 17,412 per person.For perspective, tickets from New Delhi to Dabolim were priced at around Rs 10,500 for December 23 and 24, as against the usual fare of Rs 6,500.January 26, a public holiday, falls on a Thursday, and if one takes Friday off, it is easy to have a four-day weekend.For someone looking to fly from Bengaluru to Goa a day ahead of Republic Day, the flight to Dabolim will cost Rs 4,678 for a direct flight per person. To Mopa , the cheapest flight is Rs 5,375 per person. On a regular day, a flight ticket to Bengaluru from Goa costs Rs 3,500, but it was priced around Rs 7,200 in the run-up to the New Year weekend, which is considered peak time for Goa’s tourism sector.The new international airport, which is around 35km away from the state capital, is counting on its proximity to nightlife and the North Goa coastal belt to woo passengers. The GMR Group, which developed the airport at a cost of around Rs 2,870 crore, estimates that 70% of tourists coming to Goa head to the North Goa coastal belt.While Mopa may enjoy a locational advantage, it also has higher charges — there’s a user development fee (UDF) of Rs 450 on every outbound domestic flyer, and Rs 1,100 on every outbound international flyer.Flights to and from Goa are only set to soar further every year as the UDF increases. In June 2022, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) hiked Goa International Airport’s (GOI) aeronautical charges levied on airlines and the UDF, which is passed onto flyers.From April 1, 2023, to March 2024, fliers from Dabolim will have to pay a UDF of Rs 430 for domestic flights and Rs 760 for international ones. From financial year 2024-25, the UDF will increase to Rs 495 for domestic flights and Rs 825 for international flights. And in financial year 2025-26, the charges will be Rs 570 (domestic) and Rs 900 (international).

Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad thrown open to public till January 15

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

Rashtrapati Nilayam, the official retreat of the President of India during the first citizen’s annual southern sojourn, is now open to the public, although with restrictions. After two years, visitors are now allowed into the 97-acre sprawling campus in Hyderabad, Telangana, and have a look at the iconic heritage bungalow. Starting Tuesday, people are allowed to visit the campus between 10 am and 5 pm till January 15. Entry is free of cost.Located in Bolarum, the bungalow originally built in the 1850s by Mir Farqunda Ali Khan Nazir-ud-Daulah, the fourth Nizam of Hyderabad, served as the country house of the British Residents before Indian independence. “Before it became the second lodge of British Officer, it was the residence of the Chief Military Officer of the Bolarum cantonment set up during the third Nizam Sikandar Jah’s time. When the British later got into an agreement with the Nizam and their military establishment came up around Secunderabad, this property became the second residence of the British Resident in addition to the Koti Residency,” says Professor Salma Ahmed Farooqui of H K Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies at Maulana Azad National Urdu University.Sharing another interesting aspect about the Rashtrapati Nilayam in the country’s history, Prof Farooqui adds that KM Munshi, who was the Government of India’s agent-general in Hyderabad in 1948, had briefly stayed at the building. “Just before 1948, telegrams were exchanged between Lord Mountbatten (the last Viceroy and the first Governor-General of India) and the seventh Nizam (Mir Osman Ali Khan) where the former wanted KM Munshi to occupy the Bolarum Residency. Munshi’s role was to assess the ground situation in Hyderabad and share inputs with the then home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. After Hyderabad was merged with the Indian union, the Secunderabad cantonment was handed over to the Indian Army,” she notes.The single-storeyed structure has 16 rooms, including a darbar hall, a dining hall, a cinema hall, a morning room etc, according to the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) website. Apart from the three wings, including the President’s wing, an interesting feature of the building is a 50-metre-long underground tunnel connecting the kitchen and the dining hall, which visitors are allowed to access unlike the interiors of the main building.It has been a tradition for the Presidents of India to spend a week or two at the Rashtrapati Nilayam in December every year. For over a decade now, the campus is being thrown open to the public soon after the President’s departure to Delhi. In the last few years, authorities have developed several gardens, including landscapes with medicinal and aromatic plants, flower gardens, and orchards of mango, pomegranate, amla, sapota, guava etc. As part of her southern sojourn, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Hyderabad on December 26 and returned on December 30.During her stay, President Murmu visited the temple at Srisailam and Bhadrachalam regarding temple development projects under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) scheme of the Union Ministry of Tourism. She also visited Ramappa temple, which was last year inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and laid the foundation stones for the development of tourism infrastructure at Ramappa Temple and the restoration of Kameshwaralaya Temple.Besides addressing the officer trainees of the 74th batch of IPS at SVP National Police Academy, the President also visited and addressed the students of Keshav Memorial Educational Society, and inaugurated the Wide Plate Mill of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) in Hyderabad. She also took part in the Sammakka Saralamma Janjati Pujari Sammelan, organised by the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad–Telangana. Among several other official programmes, the President hosted ‘veer naris’ (widows of Army men) and other dignitaries over lunch at Rashtrapati Nilayam, before returning to Delhi.

UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah breaks two world records with its new year’s fireworks show

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

Many of the communal new year’s celebrations around the world comprise light shows that include fireworks. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in UAE took these celebrations one step ahead when their spectacular pyro-musical presentations broke a previous Guinness World Record and also created a new one.In an Instagram post, the tourism ministry of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah wrote, “We are thrilled to announce that we have officially set two new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles for our #RAKNYE2023 pyro-musical show. Securing the title of the ‘largest number of operated multi-rotors/drones with a simultaneous fireworks display’ and setting a brand-new world record for the ‘largest aerial sentence formed by multirotors/drones’, the 12-minute spectacle lit up the sky with a jaw-dropping pyrotechnic performance and larger-than-life fireworks display.”  A post shared by Visit Ras Al Khaimah (@visitrasalkhaimah)There were over 670 drones and a myriad collection of nano lights that were perfectly synchronised to music during the 12-minute show.  A post shared by Visit Ras Al Khaimah (@visitrasalkhaimah)In another Instagram post, the tourism ministry explained the intricacies of the light and firework presentation and wrote, “Culminating in the highest ever ‘Happy New Year 2023’ message to signal new beginnings, the drones then seamlessly transitioned into the Emirate’s iconic ‘RAKashida’ logo to tie back to the destination.”It also added, “Taking inspiration from the ‘kashida’ concept in Arabic calligraphy – a line that connects letters to form a word – the logo represents the Emirate’s three uniquely recognizable natural elements: the sea, the desert, and the mountains.”Commenting on a video of the fireworks show, an Instagram user wrote, “It was amazing I wish I could have that moment for life”. Another person said, “Best fireworks in the whole entire world amazing ”

State cabinet notifies taxi app, offers 2-yr tax waiver to cabbies joining it

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: The state cabinet on Monday approved the new, unified Goa Taxi app to provide better transport facilities to the tourists. Transport minister Mauvin Godinho said taxi owners and operators joining the app will be given a two-year tax waiver.“We will amend the Motor Vehicle Act to alter the tax structure. Those joining the app will not have to pay the relevant taxes to the transport department for the next two years. Those who have already paid will be given a refund,” he said.The government of Goa, through Goa Electronic Limited (GEL), will be the owner of Goa Taxi app.Godinho said the state government will constitute an advisory body having representation from registered taxi unions, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, and the departments of transport and tourism who will periodically meet and advise on the functioning of Goa Taxi App service in order to provide efficient taxi service and implement welfare measures for taxi operators.“A conveyance fee of 10% on the fare amount will be charged towards operational costs and welfare measures. Half of the conveyance fee will be deposited in the escrow account towards welfare measures of taxi owners, drivers and their family members,” the cabinet note stated.“Eligibility criteria and type of benefits will be decided by the government,” the note stated.A customer using the app will make a payment comprising the fare calculated as per the DoT notification, an additional 10% towards operational expenses and welfare measures, and applicable taxes such as GST.

Partial water resumption from Tillari likely from Jan 6, relief for Pernem

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Panaji: Over the last week, several villages of Pernem taluka faced acute drinking water shortage, particularly Paliem. Pernem falls at the tail-end of the supply chain with only the Chandel water treatment facility available for the entire taluka. As the canals of the Tillari dam have been taken up for major repairs and supply to Goa from the reservoir stopped, this shortage is being felt more than ever.WRD officials said that though repair works on the Tillari canals is still on, supply of raw water is expected to resume partially from January 6, bringing some relief.“We had not allowed major repair works to be taken up on the Maharashtra side of the canals of the Tillari for the past 22 years. If they were not taken up for repairs now, then supply would have been completely affected,” said an official.As tourism grows in the Morjim-Mandrem-Arambol beach belt of Pernem, the water supply situation is worsening. Work of augmenting the Chandel water treatment plant is on, while another treatment plant for the taluka has been planned at Tuem.To fix the frequent breaches reported in the Tillari canals over the past couple of years, both the left and right bank canals were shut in December for major maintenance and repairs. Works will be carried out over two months. Due to the canals being shut, supply of raw water has to be rationed.The drinking water requirements of Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez at presently being met by sourcing water stored in the bandharas. A filteration plant recently constructed at Porvorim has ensured that this area has not faced shortages this time around, though the congested region was usually prone to water supply issues.The works, which will be executed by the Tillari irrigation project officials in Maharashtra, will mainly involve restoring the two canals to their original state in places where deterioration is found.There are bandharas on the Chandel and the Kalana, from where the PWD pumps water for supply to the Chandel plant to meet Pernem taluka’s water requirements. From the bandharas on the Chapora and the Sal, water is being pumped into the reservoir at Amthane, which is used at the Amthane water treatment plant. This helps meet the drinking water requirements in Bardez and Bicholim.

Govt keeps Cortalim ferry project on hold

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Vasco: After strong opposition from the local panchayat and the MLA, the state government has kept in abeyance the opening of expression of interest for hiring/leasing of unused portion of the ferry ramp at Cortalim.The river navigation department had decided to hire/lease an unused portion of the ferry ramp to start tourism activities and for the same, had floated expression of interest. However, Cortalim panchayat and local MLA Antonio Vas raised strong objections considering the threat to the traditional fishermen and the villagers, which they say will disturb the peace and tranquility of the village, thereby increasing crimes and other anti-social activities. Vas, Cortalim sarpanch Senia Pereira and the other panch members confronted the officers of the river navigation department who had come to inspect the proposed site to check the feasibility for developing it from a tourism point of view.Cortalim panchayat has also adopted a resolution at its recent gram sabha to oppose the project proposed by the river navigation department.

Will build 5 bandharas and 20 wells in Quepem, Sanguem: WRD minister

Times of India | 2 months ago | |

Times of India

2 months ago | |

Margao: Minister for cooperation and water resources Subhash Shirodkar on Sunday announced that five new bandharas and 20 wells will be built at various locations in Sanguem and Quepem talukas as well as in neighbouring areas through the water resources department. The move, he said, is aimed at motivating young farmers and providing a fillip to agricultural activities in the area.Speaking at the 30th Foundation Day of Adarsh Krishi Cooperative Society at Balli, Shirodkar said, “The young generation should adopt agriculture as a profession instead of hankering after government jobs.” He stressed on the need for a significant number of farmers from South Goa to venture into agriculture to contribute towards making the state swayampurna in the real sense of the term.Shirodkar added that the government intends to document the various subsidies allotted to farmers in six talukas of South Goa so as to understand the impact of the schemes on agriculture in the area.Minister for social welfare Subhash Phaldessai, referring to the proposed tribal village to be set up in Sanguem taluka, said that the project will help promote agricultural produce and handicrafts of tribal communities of Goa at an international level, thereby promoting hinterland eco-tourism.Farmers and people from various fields were felicitated for their extraordinary contribution towards cooperative movement.

Air traffic outage in Philippines causes long flight delays

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

Nearly 300 domestic and international flights at the Manila airport in the Philippines were either delayed, cancelled or diverted Sunday, causing misery for over 65,000 passengers during the New Year holiday after a power outage hampered air traffic operations.Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista in an evening news conference apologized for the inconvenience and said authorities are working to assist all affected passengers.Bautista said the problem started in the morning, when the Air Traffic Management Center, which oversees all flights in Philippine airspace, lost communication, radio, radar, and internet because of the power outage.The air traffic system was restored in late afternoon and flights resumed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.Officials said they requested airlines to mount more flights and to upgrade to more wide-body planes to accommodate more passengers, and that full recovery is expected after 72 hours.Some travellers were outraged, among them tycoon Manny Pangilinan, chairman of the telecommunication company PLDT, who said he was on his way to Manila from Tokyo when the outage happened.“We’re told radar and navigation facilities at NAIA down. I was on my way home fm Tokyo-3 hours into the flight, but had to return to Haneda. 6 hours of useless flying but inconvenience to travellers and losses to tourism and business are horrendous,” he tweeted.

Dubai ends 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales, fee for liquor licenses

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | |

The Indian Express

2 months ago | |

Dubai ended its 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales in the sheikhdom on Sunday and made its required liquor licenses free to obtain, ending a long-standing source of revenue for its ruling family to apparently further boost its tourism to the emirate.The sudden New Year’s Day announcement, made by Dubai’s two state-linked alcohol retailers, came apparently from a government decree from its ruling Al Maktoum family. However, government officials did not immediately acknowledge the decision and did not respond to questions from The Associated Press.But it follows years of loosening regulations over liquor in the sheikhdom, which now sells alcohol during daylight hours in Ramadan and began providing home delivery during the lockdowns at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.Alcohol sales have long served as a major barometer of the economy of Dubai, a top travel destination in the UAE, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates. During the recent World Cup in nearby Qatar, Dubai’s many bars drew commuting soccer fans.Alcohol distributor Maritime and Mercantile International, which is part of the wider Emirates Group, made the announcement in a statement.“Since we began our operations in Dubai over 100 years ago, the emirate’s approach has remained dynamic, sensitive and inclusive for all,” said Tyrone Reid of MMI. “These recently updated regulations are instrumental to continue ensuring the safe and responsible purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Dubai and the UAE.” MMI did not respond to a question over whether the decision was permanent. However, an ad put up by MMI urged customers to buy from its stores, saying “you no longer need to drive out to the other emirates.” Dubai residents long have driven into Umm al-Quwain and other emirates for bulk, tax-free alcohol purchases.African & Eastern, the second alcohol retailer believed to be at least partially held by the state or affiliated firms, also announced the end of the municipality tax and license fees.Under Dubai law, non-Muslims must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Drinkers are supposed to carry plastic cards issued by the Dubai police that permit them to purchase, transport and consume beer, wine and liquor. Otherwise, they can face fines and arrest — even though the sheikhdom’s vast network of bars, nightclubs and lounges almost never ask to see the permit.Still, relatively liberal Dubai is an outlier among others in the region. Sharjah, an emirate that borders Dubai to the north, outlaws alcohol, as do the nearby nations of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.Abu Dhabi, the capital of the oil-rich UAE, ended its alcohol license system in September 2020.